As the zoologist can reconstruct an entire skeleton from a jawbone or

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION


THE PROMPT

Issues?

• As vs. Like
→ like is used to compare nouns.
Like must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase.
The "like" phrase must not be followed by a verb or a full clause. Like is not used to compare clauses.
→ as is used to compare clauses and actions.
In comparisons, as must be followed by a subject and a verb (a clause).

• idiom
Just as X, so Y
→ Also: Just as X, so [too] Y
The word “too” is optional.

In this idiom, X and Y are both independent clauses (full sentences with a subject and a verb).
They typically describe actions. We are comparing those actions.

• What actions are being compared?

(1) A zoologist's reconstruction of an entire animal skeleton from something as small as a jawbone or even a tooth.
(2) An archaeologist's reconstruction of an entire vanished civilization from things as small as a few beads, a yarn spinning tool, or even a handful of dust.

In a recent post I mentioned a fascinating reference site called ThoughtCo.
I recommend that you visit it. Regularly.
The posts are short or short-ish, often involve English grammar and style, and are good reading practice for native and non-native speakers. (And if you happen to be an information junkie, you'll be intoxicated.)

This entry on the spin whorl, here, is short, interesting, and good for Reading Comprehension practice.

THE OPTIONS

• likewise does not equal like, so the comparison rules for like do not apply
In other words, you cannot eliminate this option because likewise = like and like must be followed only by nouns.
→ likewise is an adverb that means similarly or in a similar manner
Likewise pertains to actions and is attached to verbs.
→ like is a preposition that means similar to
Like is attached to nouns. Not verbs.

• Redundant because not idiomatic
→ The correct idiom is Just as X, so Y.
→ Another correct version is Just as X, so too Y.
→ Both are somewhat repetitious and thus redundant, but they are acceptable because they are idioms.
→ This option botches the idiom and deploys redundant words.

As in this context means "in the same way that."
Likewise is an adverb that means "in a similar manner."
So this option states, "In the same way that the zoologist can reconstruct . . . , in a similar manner the archaeologist can begin to reconstruct. . ."
Redundant.
ELIMINATE A

• Nonsensical.
Just so means "very neatly and carefully" but does not connote similarity and thus is misplaced in this option.
→ She liked to choose colorful flowers and arrange them just so.
Read the option back into the sentence (as I've written beneath option D). It makes no sense.

• Not idiomatic.
This option says: Like X . . ., just so Y
In isolation, the like phrase seems correct; like is followed by a noun phrase.
But the correct idiom is Just as X, so Y.
ELIMINATE B
• like is used to compare nouns, not actions—and certainly not clauses that contain working verbs
→ Corrected, short version: The zoologist can reconstruct an entire skeleton from a tooth, just AS an archaeologist can reconstruct a civilization from a few beads.
ELIMINATE C

• Forget about the like vs. as issue. This collection of words is gibberish. You cannot analyze it because it literally does not say or mean anything.

• This entire sentence is nonsensical babble.
→ Please read it out loud to yourself.
→ Here's the whole thing, including a shorter version:

Original version:
Reconstructing an entire skeleton from a jawbone or even a tooth is to the zoologist like the archaeologist can begin to reconstruct a vanished civilization from a spindle whorl, a few beads, and a handful of grave dust.

Shorter:
Reconstructing a skeleton from a jawbone IS to the zoologist LIKE the archaeologist CAN BEGIN to reconstruct a vanished civilization from a few beads.
That collection of words does not constitute a sentence.
Especially when prompts contain long nonunderlined portions, remember to read the option in the whole sentence.

How come no one called this option out as babble?
jessiemjx came the closest to calling out this monstrosity, writing: The sentence structure is strange . . .
Indeed.
So is the meaning, which is nonexistent.
ELIMINATE D

• Bingo. The correct idiom is used correctly. Similar actions, described by complete clauses, are compared.
→ Just as X, so Y
X = the zoologist can reconstruct an entire skeleton from a jawbone or even a tooth
Y = the archaeologist can begin to reconstruct a vanished civilization from a spindle whorl, a few beads, and a handful of grave dust.
KEEP

The answer is E.

COMMENTS

Deepakjhamb , welcome to SC Butler. Please see my note below.

Jks3000 , the graphic is twisty but hilarious, as is your use of the quote. (Good find!)
You chose the correct answer . . . but given the tenor of that graphic, maybe you (and I) could still ask for a refund.

On this question, no smiley faces. Kudos go only to those who explained (newcomer exempted this one time).

Labels are not explanation. Assertion is not explanation.
How many well-crafted posts have helped you understand?
Pay it forward. Explain.

I require explanation for many reasons, almost all of which are directly connected to your doing well on the GMAT and in B-school.

One reason I require explanation is that I want you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, and I know you can do so.
Too much focus on and recitation of rules equals losing sight of the big picture—or, say, losing sight of an option that is gibberish, on which you should have spent exactly two seconds to think, "Nonsensical. Eliminate."

In other news, today is one for the history books.
In the West, in the UK, December 8 is "V-Day." Vaccine Day: The first round of the Pfizer vaccine has been given to people across the UK.
True story: one of the first recipients of the vaccine is William Shakespeare from Coventry. (No relation.)